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The density of the continental (granitic) lithosphere is lower than oceanic (basaltic) lithosphere. Consequently, due to buoyancy, the continental crust rides above the oceanic lithosphere and thus is not subducted. However, it is thought that pieces of the continental lithosphere break off and are subducted along with the oceanic lithosphere.
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Is the lithosphere thinner under the oceanic or continental crust?
The lithosphere is generally thinner under oceanic crust compared to continental crust. Oceanic lithosphere is typically around 5-10 kilometers thick, while continental lithosphere can be up to 200 kilometers thick. This difference is due to variations in temperature and composition between the two types of crust.
How is continental lithosphere different from oceanic lithosphere?
Continental plates are thicker and less dense. Continental plates are mainly granitic in composition. Oceanic plates are mainly basaltic in composition. The rock of continental plates is on average, much older than the rock of the oceanic plates. The oceanic plate underlies the oceans, and the continental plate makes up the land masses. Continental plates do not subduct at convergent plate boundaries.
What are most tectonic plates composed of?
Tectonic plates are composed of both oceanic and continental crust. Oceanic plates are predominantly made of basaltic rock, while continental plates are primarily composed of granitic rock. The Earth's lithosphere, which includes the tectonic plates, is made up of these crustal rocks.
Do tectonic plates consist of continental or oceanic crust?
Tectonic plates consist of both continental and oceanic crust. The Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large and small plates that constantly move and interact with each other. Some plates are predominantly made up of continental crust, while others are mostly composed of oceanic crust.
What would be expected to result from a collision between a continental lithospheric plate and a oceanic lithospheric plate?
Typically the less dense continental plate would stay afloat while the denser oceanic plate would be submerged below. This can result in volcanic eruptions at the subduction zone due to oceanic crust undergoing increased pressure and temperatures as it descends below the continental crust.
Why does oceanic lithosphere sub duct while continental lithosphere does not?
Oceanic lithosphere is dense enough to be forced down into the mantle. Continental lithosphere is not.
How is continental lithosphere different oceanic lithosphere?
Continental lithosphere is thicker and less dense than oceanic lithosphere. Continental crust is primarily composed of granitic rock while oceanic crust is composed primarily of basaltic rock.
Name the two types of lithospheric plates?
There are two types of lithosphere: the oceanic lithosphere and the continental lithosphere. The oceanic lithosphere exists in the ocean basins while the continental lithosphere exists in the continental crust.
Is the lithosphere thinner under the oceanic or continental crust?
The lithosphere is generally thinner under oceanic crust compared to continental crust. Oceanic lithosphere is typically around 5-10 kilometers thick, while continental lithosphere can be up to 200 kilometers thick. This difference is due to variations in temperature and composition between the two types of crust.
Give the name of one plate that contains mostly oceanic lithosphere and of one plate that continenmental litosphere?
One plate that contains mostly oceanic lithosphere is the Pacific Plate, which is predominantly made up of oceanic crust. One plate that contains mostly continental lithosphere is the North American Plate, which consists mainly of continental crust. These distinctions are based on the composition and thickness of the lithosphere in each plate.
How is continental lithosphere different from oceanic lithosphere?
Continental plates are thicker and less dense. Continental plates are mainly granitic in composition. Oceanic plates are mainly basaltic in composition. The rock of continental plates is on average, much older than the rock of the oceanic plates. The oceanic plate underlies the oceans, and the continental plate makes up the land masses. Continental plates do not subduct at convergent plate boundaries.
Why is the oceanic plate subducted when an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate?
The Oceanic plate is subducted under the Continental plate because oceanic crust is much more dense than continental crust. The average density of the oceanic crust is 3g/cm^3 while the average density of continental crust is 2.7g/cm^3.
Explain the significance of the fact that the lithosphere is primarily composed of basalt while the crust is composed primarily of granite?
The lithosphere is composed of the oceanic and continental crust, along with the brittle uppermost mantle. The continental crust is mainly granitic, and the oceanic crust is primarily basalt.
What are most tectonic plates composed of?
Tectonic plates are composed of both oceanic and continental crust. Oceanic plates are predominantly made of basaltic rock, while continental plates are primarily composed of granitic rock. The Earth's lithosphere, which includes the tectonic plates, is made up of these crustal rocks.
Do tectonic plates consist of continental or oceanic crust?
Tectonic plates consist of both continental and oceanic crust. The Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large and small plates that constantly move and interact with each other. Some plates are predominantly made up of continental crust, while others are mostly composed of oceanic crust.
What would be expected to result from a collision between a continental lithospheric plate and a oceanic lithospheric plate?
Typically the less dense continental plate would stay afloat while the denser oceanic plate would be submerged below. This can result in volcanic eruptions at the subduction zone due to oceanic crust undergoing increased pressure and temperatures as it descends below the continental crust.
What are four differences between the oceanic crust and the continental crust?
1. The Oceanic crust is dense while the Continental crust is relatively lighter. 2. The Oceanic crust consists of Silicon and Magnessium, while the Continental crust has Silicon and Alluminium. 3. The Oceanic crust is thin, while the Continental crust is thick. 4. The Oceanic crust makes up the ocean floor, while the Continental crust carries the continents.
